This one made me roll my eyes. This Wednesday's CSI: NY will feature product placement in the form of a ring tone. That's right: a ring tone. Sometime during the show (maybe more than once?), investigator Danny Messer's phone will ring to the tune of Talk by Coldplay. The next commercial break will feature spots that show viewers how they can get that same Coldplay ring tone for their phones. For one week, the only way to get the Coldplay ring tone is to text message the number that CBS is going to air. After that, it'll be widely available. The deal is with CBS and Capitol Records so, of course, Coldplay is going to get more than a few seconds of a tinny ringtone. The song, Talk, will also be featured as background music later in the episode. I'm going to watch the actor (Carmine Giovinazzo) really close to see if a little piece of him dies when his phone goes off.CSI's ringing endorsement for product placement
This one made me roll my eyes. This Wednesday's CSI: NY will feature product placement in the form of a ring tone. That's right: a ring tone. Sometime during the show (maybe more than once?), investigator Danny Messer's phone will ring to the tune of Talk by Coldplay. The next commercial break will feature spots that show viewers how they can get that same Coldplay ring tone for their phones. For one week, the only way to get the Coldplay ring tone is to text message the number that CBS is going to air. After that, it'll be widely available. The deal is with CBS and Capitol Records so, of course, Coldplay is going to get more than a few seconds of a tinny ringtone. The song, Talk, will also be featured as background music later in the episode. I'm going to watch the actor (Carmine Giovinazzo) really close to see if a little piece of him dies when his phone goes off.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-29-2005 @ 8:50PM
doc said...
The first time I really noticed this was a couple years ago on Alias. We came back from commercial, kind of, to a tight closeup of the FORD logo on the back of a car. It held there and then the car drove away from the camera and we were back into the show. When writers and directors start tailoring their work to the needs of advertisers, a line is crossed. And not one of the good lines like showing boobs either. :D
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11-29-2005 @ 10:37PM
Bruce Wayne-Johnson said...
You know what I dont mind it so much - if I didnt read this I probably wouldn't have noticed it.
I saw the CSI Miami extended ending online at CBS.com and it shows the heavy handed Hummer placement - which you know what - I am OK with - I get 5 more minutes of CSI and no commercials and I just have to be flashed the Hummer logo.
People love the products that their fave TV stars use - if this kind of advertising does away with commercials then I'm all for it.
Have you seen Seinfeld - he was drinking Snapple, eating Rold Gold pretzels just everything - but it didnt take away from anything.
I think its great! I know its sacrilige but anything to keep money coming into the show so they can keep making them.
FYI: CSI: Miamai is my fave now - I just like the setting and Horatio and Ryan are interesting to watch - sorry Gil.
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11-30-2005 @ 6:25AM
Mark Allen said...
Inconspicuous product placements are far less annoying than network bugs and on-screen promos that detract mightily from the viewing experience.
This is nothing new, in fact it's a return to television's roots. If it can help to keep the budgets up and clutter down, you'll hear no complaint from me.
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12-10-2005 @ 12:37PM
Leilani said...
Yes, we have grown accustomed to stars on our favorite shows subliminally pushing products in the course of a show -- it's almost as if our best friend were talking to us while enjoying a pop and bag of chips. But when the show's plot has to be altered to accommodate said endorsement -- that's WAY too much. Stop the madness. I feel like we're heading toward the advertising overloaded environment portrayed in "Minority Report" or something.
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